Also referred to as a hand wheel or a driving wheel, the primary purpose of the steering wheel is to control automobiles. Today, it comes in various adjustable forms including the swing-away wheel, the adjustable steering column and the telescope wheel. Likewise, there is also the tilt wheel, which was originally an option for luxury cars. In newer vehicles, a wheel now comes with remote audio controls. In addition to these basic facts, there are many interesting things to learn about it including the different steering wheel sizes.

The Sizes of Steering Wheels

The sizes of steering wheels vary depending on the type of vehicle. In terms of outside diameter, the average is somewhere between 14½ inches and 17 inches. In terms of grip circumference, some wheels measure as thin as 2¾ inches. On the other hand, the grip of some wheels can be as thick as 4¼ inches.

A Size-A wheel has an outside diameter of 15 inches to 16 inches, while the grip circumference varies from 2¾ inches to 3 1/8 inches. Meanwhile, the outside diameter of a Size-AX wheel ranges from 14½ inches to 15½ inches with a grip circumference of about 3¼ inches to 3½ inches. For a Size-AXX wheel, the outside diameter is similar to a Size-AX wheel but the grip circumference ranges from 3 5/8 inches to 3 7/8 inches. A Size-C wheel also has the same outside diameter but the grip circumference is thicker ranging from 3 7/8 inches to 4¼ inches.

There is also a Size-B wheel, the outside diameter of which is 16½ inches to 17½ inches. The grip circumference of this type of wheel ranges from 2¾ inches to 3 1/8 inches. Lastly, there is also a Size-BX wheel, the outside diameter of which is 16 inches to 17 inches, while the grip circumference ranges from 3¼ inches to 3½ inches.

Additional Facts and Other Interesting Details

Generally, the stirring wheel is circular, although it may also come in other shapes such as the butterfly design. For right-hand drive vehicles, the wheel is commonly found at the car’s right side. On the other hand, the wheel is situated right at the left side of the car for left-hand drive vehicles.

An individual named Edward James Lobdell developed the tilt wheel. In 1963, it became part of many General Motors vehicles. The swing-away wheel was featured in the Ford Thunderbird, which was introduced in 1961. The telescope wheel was developed under the Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors.